I found a babysitter that I liked through a Facebook group. I haven't met her yet, but we chatted through messages, and I think she seems like a good fit. She suggested coming to my house this week to meet my two boys and make sure I want to hire her in the future. My oldest son just started preschool, and that means he is coming in contact with germs from the other kids. He already has his first cold of the school year and has a slight cough and a runny nose. I let the babysitter know he has a cold, and she replied that she wants to reschedule for later in the week and for me to let her know how he's feeling. I get the impression that she doesn't want to be around my kids unless they are 100% well. Is this normal? I feel like little kids get coughs and runny noses frequently, and I'm not sure what I would do if I was depending on her and she cancelled at the last minute.
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I've never had it happen with a sitter, but my Dad has this rule. My mom, Dad and Nanny all got really sick last Fall from my son. It was a really rough recovery for all of them (in 60s). So although I haven't heard of it, I get it...
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Maybe she thought it wouldn't be a good time for you if your LO was sick? I would ask her about it when she comes over to meet her, but in a casual way.
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I think I'd give her another shot still. She might be thinking that since you gave her the heads up you wanted to cancel? I definitely think coldsv are part of the territory with babysitting.
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Since it's just a meet-and-greet sort of thing, I'm guessing she'd rather he not be under the weather or contagious -- it's not like she is cancelling an actual sitting job when you would have plans? So I wouldn't be too worried about that.
I would also differentiate between the start/early stages of a cold (where the kid generally feels worse, is more contagious) vs. the cough/runny nose that is still sticking around despite all other symptoms being gone. I think it's more acceptable for either of you to cancel in the early stages of a cold. But if I cancelled every time one of my kids had a slight cough or runny nose, we wouldn't leave the house all winter!
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My guess would be that she wanted her first impression to be a good one and if DS is sick he may be clingy and not receptive to her - when is is feeling good the visit might go better
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I second the opinion that she just doesn't want him to be extra shy/ more clingy if he isn't feeling well.
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Eh I think it's odd...it seems like if she were eager for the job she'd come when invited. I think it's something to bring up and ask directly. I know nannies are different but our nanny has worked when our kids have pink eye, croup, colds, bronchitis, weird rashes, strep throat--the works.
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@aprild: She might also be reflecting--you brought up the cold, she might think that you want to wait till he is healthier.
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I think talking about the stock policy makes a lot of sense. And is something better done now and clearly.
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Honestly, I think she doesn't want to catch his cold.
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Is it a babysitter you would only use for dates out? I probably wouldn't worry about it, since it wasn't an actual job, just a meet and greet.
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11 comments